ConVis to Absorb San Diego Film Commission

The San Diego Film Commission, which promotes the region for use in media productions, is being merged into the operational structure of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization also known as ConVis announced May 31.

A ConVis statement said a partnership of the two organizations emerged as both parties realized that the film commission’s mission “aligns well” with ConVis’ mission of promoting the San Diego region for tourism. The commission will dissolve its nonprofit 501(c)(4) status.

“We are pleased that ConVis will be assuming the operations of the San Diego Film Commission as of July 1,” said Rob Dunson, president of the film commission, adding that the arrangement will help the commission “rise to new levels of success.”

The film commission’s three full-time staff members will be retained and reside in the marketing department of ConVis. The current plan is for commission staff to stay in their current offices, at the Liberty Station development in Point Loma.

“The San Diego Film Commission has been and will continue to be an effective entity within our community to not only promote San Diego and all it has to offer, but to also generate significant economic dollars back into our region,” said Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the downtown-based ConVis.

The film commission was established in 1976. Officials reported that the commission has contributed as much as $80 million in revenue to the region annually, related to TV, feature film and commercial production. The commission provides a “one-stop shop” for location scouting, city permit matters, insurance, safety and other production-related issues, the statement said.

The commission attracts and permits 350 to 400 projects annually, and brought the region more than $10 million in direct economic impact in 2011, officials said.